Atlantic Permit Application E14-006

The following document is a Geological and Geophysical (G&G) permit application from Spectrum Geo, 

Inc. to conduct an offshore marine two-dimensional (2D) deep penetration seismic survey on the 

Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf of the United States. This survey will be conducted offshore of 

Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. 

Spectrum Geo, Inc. will use one seismic survey vessel to conduct this survey. Marine 2D seismic surveys 

use an airgun array (active sound source) when acquiring data. The sound waves emitted by the source 

penetrate the subsurface and are reflected off the different subsurface rock layers back up to receivers 

towed behind the survey vessel. This type of survey is used to acquire subsurface data to study the 

regional geology over a large area. They are favored for regional work because they can acquire the 

necessary data quicker and more economically than other survey methods. This is because of the 

relatively large data acquisition grid size used. The information acquired is then used to determine 

potential areas of interest, as well as areas that are not of interest, for further exploration. The survey 

data will be acquired following a grid pattern. The outline on the public information map shows the 

extent of the survey grid with some exaggeration of the actual size and location to help protect survey 

confidentiality. The survey grid size sailed by the survey vessel depends on several factors, but 

principally the data resolution required. Typical 2D seismic survey grids, for the Atlantic surveys, range 

from roughly a 2.5 mi x 2.5 mi grid up to a 50 mi x 70 mi grid.

This Atlantic G&G permit application will be available for public review and comment on the 

Regulations.gov web site for a period of 30 calendar days starting on March 30, 2015. The application is 

placed on Regulations.gov after BOEM has received all of the pertinent application information from the 

permit applicant and before the completion of BOEM’s environmental review process. As part of 

BOEM’s environmental review process for G&G permit applications, BOEM will consider potential 

impacts to local and regional resources. This environmental review process will tier from the 

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) prepared for G&G activities on the Mid-Atlantic 

and South Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. The G&G PEIS described and evaluated the potential 

environmental impacts associated with reasonably foreseeable G&G survey activities in Federal waters 

overlying the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), including potential effects 

on many resources such as marine mammals (e.g. north Atlantic right whales), sea turtles, and 

commercial and recreational fishing. The G&G PEIS also evaluated mitigation measures to reduce 

potential impacts of G&G activities on marine resources, such as marine mammal exclusion zones near 

airgun operations, and time-area closures. BOEM will require permit applicants to comply with 

applicable mitigation measures based on the results of the site-specific environmental analysis 

conducted for each Atlantic G&G permit application. BOEM will review the comments received during 

the public comment period for this permit applications and will take them into consideration during the 

environmental review process.

Please note that the G&G activities proposed under these Atlantic G&G permit applications will also be 

subject to additional public review and comments as part of the review processes undertaken by both 

State and Federal agencies. One of the Federal agencies that will review the proposed activities will be 

the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The review is required as part of NMFS’ statutory and 

regulatory obligations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Its statutes, regulations and guidelines 

govern NMFS’ authorization processes and public comment review periods. Additionally, States also 

have an opportunity to review the activities proposed under these permit applications as part of their 

federally-approved Coastal Zone Management Programs (CZMP) if it has been determined that the 
activity to be authorized under BOEM’s G&G permit may have an impact on their coastal resources. 

Please note that each State has its own process for public review and comment under its approved 

CZMP. 
UNITED STATES 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT 

Gul f of Mexico OCS Region 

(Insert Appropriate Regional Office) 

Attachment 1 

APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO CONDUCT GEOLOGICAL OR GEOPHYSICAL 

EXPLORATION FOR MINERAL RESOURCES OR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 

ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 

(Section 11, OuterContinental ShelfLands Act of August 7, 1953, as amended on September 18, 1978, 

by Public Law 95-372, 92 Statute 629, 43 U.S.C. 1340; and 30 CFR Parts 251 and 551) 

Spectrum Geo In c 

Name of Applicant 

16225 Park Ten Plac e 

Number and Street 

Houston, Texas 77084 

City, State, and Zip Code 

Application is made for the following activity: (check one) 

Geological exploration for mineral resources 

Geological scientific research 

x

 Geophysical exploration for mineral resources 

Geophysical scientific research 

"gOM OCS REGION 

BOEM RELEASABLE 

JUL 2 2 MM 

Orteans, LA 

neBMORE RESCXJRCE EVALUATION 

bes Rgg 

BOEM 

MAY-0 7 2014 

New Orteans. LA 

^SOURCE 

Submit: Original plus three copies, totaling four copies, which include one digital copy, and one public 

information copy. 

To be completed by BOEM 

Permi. Number: 00 ^ Date: 0% ' ^ - Z-O/ V 

For m BOEM-032 7 (January 2012 - Supersedes all previous versions of this form which may not be used.) Pag e 5 of 1 3 
A. General Information 

1. The activity will be conducted by: 

To Be Determined 

Service Company Name 

Address 

City, State, Zip 

E-Mail Address 

2. The purpose of the activity is: 

PQJ. Spectrum Geo In c 

Purchaser(s) of the Data 

16225 Park Ten Place 

Address 

Houston, Texas 77084 

City, State, Zip 

Telephone/FAX Numbers 

(281) 647 0602 _ 1 

Telephone/FAX Numbers 4o ^' ^ 

Houston_ops®spectrumasa.co m 

E-Mail Address 

Mineral exploration 

Scientific research 

3. Describe your proposed survey activities (i.e., vessel use, benthic impacts, acoustic sources, etc) 

and describe the environmental effects of the proposed activity, including potential adverse effects 

on marine life Describe what steps are planned to minimize these adverse effects (mitigation 

measures). For example: I) Potential Effect; Excessive sound level Mitigation; Soft Start, 

MMOs, mammal exclusion zone or 2) Potential Effect; Bottom disturbance; Mitigation; ROV 

deployment/retrieval of bottom nodes) (use continuation sheets as necessary or provide a separate 

attachment): 

2D seismic survey wit h ai r gun array.(See attached Appendix 1 fo r mitigatio n measures) 

4. The expected commencement date is: November isth. 2014 

The expected completion date is: November i4th, 2015 

5. The name ofthe individual(s) in charge ofthe field operation is: 

Knut Fostad / Mike Saunders 

May be contacted at: 

Spectrum Geo Inc / 16225 Park Ten Place / Houston, TX 77084 

Telephone (Local) < 281 '

 64 7 060 2 (Marine) TBD 

Email Address: Houston_ops®spectrumasa.com Radi o ca i i sig n 

TBD 

For m BOEM-032 7 (January 2012 - Supersedes all previous versions of this form which may nol be used.) Pag e 6 of 13 
6. The vessel(s) to be used in the operation is (are): 

Name (s) Registry Number(s) Registered owners) 

TBD TBD TBD 

7. The port from which the vessel(s) will operate is: TBD (various) 

8. Briefly describe the navigation system (vessel navigation only): 

GPS wit h Integrate d Navigation System 

(Spectra or equivalent) 

B. Complete for Geological Exploration for Mineral Resources or 

Geological Scientific Research 

1. The type of operation(s) to be employed is: (check one) 

(a) Deep stratigraphic test, or 

(b) Shallow stratigraphic test with proposed total depth of , or 

(c) Other 

2. Attach a page-size plat showing: 1) The generalized proposed localion for each lest, where 

appropriate, a polygon enclosing the test sites may be used, 2) BOEM protraction areas; 

coastline; poinl of reference; 3) Distance and direction from a point of reference to area of 

activity. 

C. Complete for Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Resources or 

Geophysical Scientific Research 

1. The type(s) of operation(s) to be employed is (are): 

a) Acquisition method (OBN, OBC, Streamer):

 streame r 

b) Type of acquisition: (High Resolution Seismic, 2D Seismic, 3D Seismic, gravity, magnetic, 

CSEM, etc.) 

2D Seismic, Gravit y and Magnetometer Data 

2. Attach a page-size plat showing: 

a) The generalized proposed location ofthe activity with a representative polygon, 

b) BOEM protraction areas; coastline; point of reference, 

c) Distance and direction from a point of reference to area of activity. 

3. List all energy source types to be used in the operation(s): (Air gun, air gun array(s), sub-bottom 

profiler, sparker, towed dipole, side scan sonar, etc.). 

For m BOEM-032 7 (January 2012 - Supersedes all previous versions of this form which may nol be used.) Pag e 7 of 13 
4,000 in3 t o 4,920 in3 ai r gun array 

Operating Pressure: 2,000 psi 

4. Explosive charges will will not X be used. If applicable, indicate the type of 

explosive and maximum charge size (in pounds) to be used: 

Type Pounds Equivalent Pounds of TNT 

D. Proprietary Information Attachments 

Use the appropriate fonn on page 9 for a "geological" permit application or the form on page 11 for a 

"geophysical" pennit application. You must submit a separate Form BOEM-0327^iiniji>lv fni-^ach 

geological or geophysical pennit. y^S ^ llEQjQ 

BOEM 

E JUN 0 3 2014 . Certification 

I hereby certify that foregoing and attached infonnation are true and com? 

Print Name:

 RiGhieM J fr 

SIGNED 

TITLE President 

New Orteans. LA 

?ESOURCt£! 

DATE 3^2^ r -

COMPANY NAME: 

TO BE COMPLETED BY BOEM 

Permit No. EIH'OOC D Assigned by I A CW~ \ ^ucMu n Date £)3~Xn-^/ V 

of 4*6 EM 

This application is hereby: 

Accepted 

a. 

b. Returned for reasons in the attaclied 

SIGNED y

/ / 2 ^ r ^^" TITL E Regional Supervisor _ DATE 

For m BOEM-032 7 (January 2012 - Supersedes all previous versions of this form which may nol be used.) Pag e 8 of 13 
Florida

Georgia

South

Carolina

North

Carolina

Virginia

West

Virginia

1000m

1000m

10 00m

1000m

1000m

1000m

30 00m

3000

m

3 000m

3000m

3000m

3000m

3000m

30 00m

3 0 00m

3000m

3500m

3500m

3500m

3500m

3500 m

3500m

3500m

3500 m

3500m

4

5 0 0m

4 50 0m

4500m

4500m

4500m

4500m

4500m

4500m

4500m

4500m

4500m

4500m

4500m

4500m

45 00m

4500m

4500m

500m

500m

500 m

500m

500m

500m

500m

500m

500m

Ft. Pierce

NG17-02

Walker Cay

NG17-03

Brunswick

NH17-02 Hoyt Hills

NH17-03

Jacksonville

NH17-05 Stetson Mesa

NH17-06

Daytona

Beach

NH17-08 Adams

NH17-09

Orlando

NH17-11

Pillsbury

NH17-12

Harrington

Hill

NH18-01

Taylor

NH18-02

(Unnamed)

NH18-03

Blake Spur

NH18-04

(Unnamed)

NH18-05

Mc Alinden

Spur

NH18-07

Blake

Escarpment

NH18-10

Georgetown

NI17-09

Georgetown

NI17-09

Savannah

NI17-11

James Island

NI17-12

Rocky

Mount

NI18-01

Manteo

NI18-02

Wraight

NI18-03

Beaufort

NI18-04

Russell

NI18-05

Hatteras

Ridge

NI18-06

Cape Fear

NI18-07

Marmer

NI18-08

Lanier

NI18-09

Richardson

Hills

NI18-10

Wittman

NI18-11

Tibbet

NI18-12

Lippold

NI19-01

Evans

NI19-04

(Unnamed)

NI19-07

Salisbury

NJ18-05

Wilmington

Canyon

NJ18-06

Chincoteague

NJ18-08

Baltimore

Rise

NJ18-09

Currituck

Sound

NJ18-11

Hyman

NJ18-12

Heezen

Plateau

NJ19-04

Powell

NJ19-05

Muller

NJ19-06

Jones

NJ19-07

Uchupi

NJ19-08

Wilmington

Valley

NJ19-10

US 200 Nautical Mile Limit

70°0'0"W

70°0'0"W

75°0'0"W

75°0'0"W

80°0'0"W

80°0'0"W

3

5°0'0"N

3

5°0'0"N

3

0°0'0"N

3

0°0'0"N

-100000

-100000

0

0

100000

100000

200000

200000

300000

300000

400000

400000

500000

500000

600000

600000

700000

700000

800000

800000

900000

900000

1000000

1000000

1100000

1100000

31000003100000

32000003200000

33000003300000

34000003400000

35000003500000

36000003600000

37000003700000

38000003800000

39000003900000

40000004000000

41000004100000

42000004200000

43000004300000

Canada

United States

Brazil

Mexico

Peru

Colombia

Venezuela

1:1

®

,500,000

US Atlantic Phase 1 Survey

Coordinate System: WGS 1984 UTM Zone 18N

Central Meridian: 75°0'0"W

Multi-Client Division Spectrum Geo

US Atlantic Phase 1 Survey

Proposed Plot

Author:

Spectrum Geo Inc. - Houston

Date:

04/01/2014

Document Name:

US Atlantic Phase I Plot.pdf

WGS_1984_UTM_Zone_18N

WKID: 32618 Authority: EPSG

Projection: Transverse Mercator

False Easting: 500000.0

False Northing: 0.0

Central Meridian: -75.0

Scale Factor: 0.9996

Latitude Of Origin: 0.0

Linear Unit: Meter (1.0)

0 25 50 100

Nautical Miles

0 25 50 100 150 200

Kilometers

Legend

Permit Polygon

Atlantic Administrative Boundaries

50 km seaward of the fedstate line

US 200 Nautical Mile Limit

SLA

Planning Areas

NOA - North Atlantic

MDA - Mid Atlantic

SOA - South Atlantic

FLS - Straits of Florida